3rd place

Mapometer (http://gb.mapometer.com/en/ )

I discovered this mapping tool only recently but in my opinion it far surpasses other mapping tools which I had used up to now. This tool is devoid of annoying ads and seems faster and less clunky. I used this when I had problems with the calibration of my Garmin Forerunner 50 watch and it gave me incorrect and varying distance measurements. Useful in planning varied routes to keep boredom out of covering the same route time and time again.

2nd place

Fetch Everyone (www.fetcheveryone.com)

I love Fetch Everyone site with the ability to see my training log in different formats, see how many miles are on each pair of my shoes, see where I’m ranking on the monthly and annual running league tables, which can spur me on to put in a few extra miles, enter scheduled and completed race info. This is only some of the functionality which this brilliant site offers.

1st place

Twitter (www.twitter.com)

But there needs to be a human element in all this as well, even in the virtual world and this is where Twitter is an invaluable resource. Of all the resources I would rank Twitter top for what I get from it in terms of motivation, support and a good laugh. It also, I hope, gives me the chance to offer the same in some small way to others. This is a virtual community there when you have a brilliant run and also there when you have a crap race. These are people who are as mad as you, who understand the need to go out running in storms and gales, to wear definitely untrendy luminous gear, who get equally excited about acquiring the latest gps watch and who pore over spreadsheets and logs working out minute miles! This is the Twitter running community and you are the best!

• Easy way to carry over 1L of fluids on long runs
• Plenty of storage for keys, bars, etc
• Compression straps to stop bouncing
• Sits comfortably on waist with no movement
• Handy clip to attach tube from bladder to your top so drinking on the move is easy

• Can feel quite heavy when full but still easier than carrying bottles.

TechnoTrotter says:

I tested the camelbak on two consecutive days – the first hill walking (up Tinto hill in Lanarkshire) and then the next evening on a 7.5 mile hill run in the Pentland Hills.

Walking with it was absolutely fine and after a while I was hardly aware of it.

When I started running with it at first it felt uncomfortable and bounced a bit, however this was because it was not adjusted correctly. I needed to fasten the waist belt first, positioning the pouch correctly then tighten the compression straps. You can hear the water swishing about a bit at first (but it does that in any container, handheld or otherwise) and after a while you don’t notice it. With the belt properly adjusted the pack did not move at all and sat comfortably in the small of my back and did not require any readjustment for the duration of the run. As the water level decreases it obviously weighs less and you are less aware of it.

I can’t think of an easier way to carry up to 1.3 L as well as have storage for bars, keys etc. An excellent purchase for hydration for longer runs.

Camelbak FlashFlo

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article5774661.ece

• Registration and use of site is free.
• The site is designed by runners for runners so consequently provides the features and functionality that runners will be looking for.
• Excellent tool for logging training as it lets you add a lot of additional information such as temperature, heart rate, shoes, bras etc.
• Excellent tool for analysing your training and races in many different ways such as summaries and graphs.
• Good for keeping you motivated as you can compare your race performances in league tables (again different options such as comparison within your own age category).
• Helps keeps you sane when injured as you can discuss/moan about your injuries with other runners in a similar position!
• Can help to keep you motivated by enabling you to connect with runners in your area or who are attending the same races as you, or virtually through the blogs and forums.
• Incorporates diet tools and features to enable you to monitor food intake alongside training.

• No widgets available for use in your own blog or website.
• Sometimes, because there are just so many features, it can be difficult to find a particular feature which is not available directly from the main menu.

TechnoTrotter says:

“I just love Fetch Everyone and would recommend it as a valuable web tool for all runners. Because it is designed by runners, it has the edge in terms of features and functionality – I am still discovering features I didn’t know existed!. The beauty of the site is that it has something for everyone – whether you just simply want to log your miles and track your training or if you want to analyse each run/race to the death with the different analysis tools. This is a great tool for all runners combining both training, racing, diet and social networking features. Tracking and analysing your training and races is an excellent way to keep you motivated and enhance your running. ”

Guide to Fetch Everyone - more information on Fetch Everyone and the features available

Link to http://www.fetcheveryone.com

• Free to register and use (only pay for optional Gyminee Pro)
• Excellent concept of using social networking in a fitness setting to enhance motivation and to share training logs and training experiences
• Good way for beginners to connect with other beginners using the forums and to get fitness tips
• Ability to set up challenges, either with gym buddies or open to any Gyminee member. Also the functionality to add a challenge widget to an external blog or website which would update the leaderboard automatically.
• Ability to monitor nutrition and weight and keep a food diary. A holistic approach incorporating both diet and exercise.

• Did not find use of site intuitive and found the profile building process a bit confusing.
• Unclear as to what information was public and what was private.
• Did not find it immediately obvious how to log a run or view my training history.
• Format of challenges was too constrained for what I wanted to do. I was unable to set myself an ongoing challenge of running 30 miles a week as challenges were time constrained.

TechnoTrotter says

“Gyminee is an exciting social networking fitness tool which has the potential to be used to enhance motivation for exercise and healthy eating. However, for me it failed to deliver as I wanted to be able to log and view my training in a specific way and create a widget for my blog which would give an ongoing update on my running. I was less interested in the social aspect and I suspect Gyminee will appeal more to those who want to use the Gym buddy facility and perhaps the functionality is also geared more towards a gym setup.”

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